Shin shield for stepladders



Aug. 8, 1950 .T. D. WILSON SHIN SHIELD FOR \STEPLADDERS Filed May '13,1948 Thomas D. Wilson IN V EN TOR.

Patented Aug. 8, 1950 STATE-S PATE T OFFICE SHIN-SHIELD FOR STEPLADDERSThomas 1). Wilson, New Yolk, .N. Y. Application Mayan, 1943, Serial No.26,890 g The present. invention relates to an attachment for the stepsof stepladders and has reference in particular to a shin-shield, thatis, a cushioned device which, when properly applied assists the user ofthe stepladder in more effectively using the latter.

Itv is common practice, when one is standing on the step of astepladderto leanthe shins against the edge of the step justabove'theonewhich is occupied and to thus brace ones self sufliciently thatfbothhands 231.8 ffree to work with. The trouble with such practice,however, is that the shins become bruised and sore from the hard edgeofthe stated step. The primary object of the present invention is,therefore, to provide a rubber or equivalent cushion and means forattaching same to'the step, whereby 'to provide a satisfactoryshin-shield. In carrying out the principleszof the invention Ihaveevolved and produced-.a-simple and economical shield which is such thatit maybe readily changedfrom one step to another, may be quickly appliedandremoved and which fits with suflicientwsurenesson the. .step:that thecushion is in constant alignment with thelfront'edge of the step. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a protector shield of thenature described which will withstand rough usage and will not be harmedby a user ascending or descendin the steps. In addition the device maybe left on the I ladder and will not interfere with the closing oropening of the ladder sections.

Another object of the invention is to provide attaching devices for thecushion means which devices are bendable and therefore adjustable toaccommodate steps of different widths and thicknesses.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing asection of a stepladder, showing the attachment or shield in operativeplace on the lower step of the ladder for illustrative purposes only;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,lookin in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the attachment per se.

Referring now to the drawing by distinguishing reference characters, theladder section is denoted by the reference character A and includescustomary stiles B and cross-steps C.

5 Claims. (Cl. 228-60.)

The attachment comprises a substantially channel-shaped member havingslots, the channel being denoted by the numeral Sand the slots '(seeFigure 2) being denoted by the numerals 6 and 1. The duplicate bracketsor'fixturessS are employed for attachin the device in place and eachbracket includes a primary limb 9 which extends 'across the top of thestep and has a downbent forward end portion In and a return bend U, thelatter forming a retaining finger. vIt will be noticed that the portions'9, l0 and H are passed through the. slots 6 and I and in practice arewelded securely to the channel member. :In addition the elongated spongerubber block, whichv is the cushion, is denoted by the numeral 12 andthis is also securely anchored in the channel and protrudes to thedesired degree. The rear ends ofthe straps or limbs are readilydown-bent as at if! to engage over the rear edge of the :step and the.terminal portion 14 is laterally turned and bent to underlie the stepand terminates'in a coil l5.

The mere fact that the attachment is shown in use on the lower step ofthe step ladder is of no consequence since .innactual practice it isapplied to the step above the one occupied by the user of thestepladder. If for example the user is occupying or standing on thefirst step, then the attachment is applied so that the cushioning meansis along the adjacent forward or outer edge of the second step. Thecushion then serves as an effective brace permitting the user to leanagainst the edge with hisshins with reasonable comfort and allow havingaccessible and free use of both hands. As before stated the attachmentwill fit almost'any make of stepladder, it is very simple to change fromone step to another. The user simply hooks the shield on the front edgeof the step and springs the retaining elements l3 and I4 over the rearedge and allows same to takev the position shown in Figure 2, Thebrackets or fixtures conform to the shape of the step and therefore theattachment with its hooks will not become disconnected from the step.Ascending and descending the ladder is freely permissible since theshin-shield does not in any way interfere with such activities. Aspreviously stated the straps are such in construction that the retainingelement l I at the front may be bent down,

that is angled in respect to the channel to accommodate differentthicknesses of steps and the same is true of the end portion I4 since ittoo is bendable and may be sprung to th desired position forsatisfactory fitting purposes. The metal straps may be made so that theend portions I3 and I 4 may be straightened out somewhat and the coil [5uncurled to give a greater length to accommodate steps of widths greaterthan those depicted in the drawings.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction withthe invention as illustrated in the drawings will enable the reader toobtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features ofmerit and novelty sufficient to clarify the construction of theinvention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts maybe resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure i made fromthe invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An attachment for the step of a stepladder comprising an elongatedchannel-shaped member, an elongated block of sponge rubber anchored insaid channel-shaped member, and brackets connected to end portions ofsaid chann'el-shaped member, and including hooks at opposite endsengageable over front and rear edge portions of a step. '2. Anattachment of the class described comprising attaching brackets eachincluding an elongated strap having hook-shaped end portions adapted toreleasably engage over edge portions of a ladder step, a channel-shapedmember connected to the forward hook portions, and a rubber cushionmounted in said channel-shaped member.

3. An attachment for a stepladder step comprising a pair of duplicateattaching brackets each including an elongated strap having hookshapedattaching members at opposite ends, the bill portions of said membersbeing bendable to permit same to accommodate steps of varying widths andthicknesses, a channel-shaped member connected to the forward hookmembers by the respective brackets, and a protective cushion mounted insaid channel-shaped member.

4. A shin-shield attachment for the front longitudinal'edge of a step ona stepladder comprising a pair of attaching brackets each including aflat elongated strap having hook-shaped attaching members at oppositeends adapted to releasably engage over forward and rearward edgeportions of the stated step in a manner not to interfere with the act offreely using such step for climbing and standing, a rigid memberconnecting said brackets together in spaced relationship, and acompressible cushion mounted on and carried by said membensaid cushionserving to permit the user of the stepladder to lean and brace his shinsagainst the cushion, as is customarily done, without encountering theannoying pressure of the step against the shins.

5. An attachment for a conventional-type stepladder which embodiesvertical stiles and intervening steps rigidly mounted between the stilescomprising an elongated compressible cushion of a length substantiallycommensurate with the length of the step and of a cross sectionsubstantially equal to the thickness of the step, a rigid base member towhich'said cushion is attached, said base member being adapted to residein firm contact with the coacting forward edge of said step, and a pairof brackets attached at right angles to end portions of said basemember, said brackets having forward and rearward resilient hooks toengage over the forward and rearward edge portions of the step.

" 'TI-IOMAS'D. WILSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

, UNITED STATES PATENTS Brande1" -Q. Feb. 6, 1945

